Squeezer extractor washing machine



Jan. 19, 1954 CANDOR 2,666,316

SQUEE ZER EXTRACTOR WASHING MACHINE Filed March 25, 1948 I N TOR.

-With agitating vanes 1 1.

Patented Jan. 19, 1954 SQUEEZER EXTRACTOR WASHIN MACHINE Robert R. Candor, Oakwood, Ohio, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application March 25, 1948, Serial No. 17,053

7 Claims.

This invention relates to domestic appliances and more particularly to washing machines.

An object of this invention is to provide a washing machine in which the tub is oscillated and is provided witha flexible diaphragm at the top, together with means to impart a vacuum to the tub below the diaphragm for the purpose of wringing water out of the clothes after they have been washed.

Another object of this invention is to provide a washing machine of the character described in the foregoing paragraph, in which a washing cycle, together with one or more rinse cycles may be performed automatically.

Another object of this invention is to provide a washing machine in which the tub is oscillated and is provided with a flexible diaphragm near the top, together with means to impart a vacuum to the tub below the diaphragm and with means to hold the diaphragm in its upper position during the time that a vacuum is not imparted to the tub below the'diaphrag'm.

Further objects and advantages of the-present invention will be apparent from th following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view, somewhat diagrammatic, of a washing machine embodying features of my invention; and

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional View taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

A washing machine embodying features of this invention may include a tub 113 which is provided The tub is oscillatable by means of a supporting shaft 12 carried in bearing 13. Means to oscillate the tub may also include a crank H1, connecting rod 15, gearing 16 and 1'1, and a motor 18. r

A flexible'diaphragm 19 is provided near the I top of the tub. Preferably it is carried by a cover 21!, which is hinged at 21 to the tub It. The diaphragm 19 may, if desired, haveits own rigid flan e 22, which may rest on the tub flange23 and which may be clamped downwardly by the flange 24 of the cover 29. Howevenin the preferred embodiment, the flange 22 is secured by vulcanizing, bolting, or the like to the flange 24. The coverlil may be provided With a latch and handle 25 for raising the same and for latching it to the tub 11!.

Means to impart a vacuum to the tub below the diaphragm 19 are provided. This may take the form of a screen 26 under which a sump 2'1 is formed, which is connected to a flexible, 'noncollapsible pipe 28, having a coiled portion 29. This pipe is connected to a solenoid multiple valve '30. The valve'30 is connected by pipe 31 to a Vacuum pump 32, which may have its own motor, and which discharges through the pipe 33 into a sump or the like. When the valve is properly energized to connect th pipe 21 to the pipe 31, together with simultaneous energization of the vacuum pump, avacuum is imparted to the tub 10.

Means are provided to hold the diaphragm 19 in raised position during the time that the vacuum is not imparted to the tub below the diaphragm. This may take the form of a flexible, non-collapsible pipe 34, having a coiled portion 35 and a connecting portion 36 leading to the multiple valve 30; The multiple valve 30 may be suitably energized to connect the pipe 31 with the pipe 34 at the time that the pipe 28 is disconnected from the pipe 3 1. Under these conditions a vacuum is imparted to the space 31,

V which causes the diaphragm 19 to be held in raised position. At the same time a solenoid valve 33, in the flexible, non-collapsible, overflow pipe 39 having a coiled portion 40, is opened to allow air to enter, or Water to be discharged from the tub 10. The atmospheric pressure in the tub 10 causes the raisingof the diaphragm 19 when a vacuum is imparted to the space 31. The solenoid valve 38 preferably is of the type which is open except when electrically energized.

Liquid introducing means may be provided for the tub. This may take the form of a solenoid and thermostatic valve 41', which may be connected to a hot water supply 22 and a cold water supply 43. It may discharge through the pipe 44 into the multiple valve 39. At the appropriate time, the valve 31] connects thev pipe 44 with the pipe 28, and the solenoid valve 41 is opened to connect either or both the pipes 42 and 43. This causes water to be delivered into the tub through the pipe 28. The valve 41 may include a constant pressure and constant discharge construction such that water at a substantially constant flow is delivered to the tub 10.

If desired, the valve 41 maydischarge by a flexible pipe directly into tub 10 without being connected to valve 341.

A timer 5i) may be provided to controlvarious elements of the washing machine. The timer may be connected to electrical power sourc 51. It is connected by lines-in the cables 52 with the motor 18, pump 32, and valves 30, 38 and 41'; The timer 50 is constructed to send proper int- (a) Clothes and detergent are placed in tub iii.

The tub is filled, while a vacuum is imparted to the space 31. For this purpose thevalvestll-and 4| are energized to connect either or both the pipes 42 and 43 with the pipe 2-'.', thus;-introducing liquid at a constant rate;intoithectub 5110 for-:a predeterminedperiod of time. This fills the tub to the desired level. It is to .be understood-that any other well known method of'filling the tub to the desired level may be used, such asna'fl'oat control or a pressure responsive switch. At the .same time,=the valve fill connects the pipe-34 with the pump -32 and the-,pumpx32: is energized. .This imparts a vacuum {to thespaceBl. At the same "time :the valve 138 is :maintained open, preferably day-remaining deenergized.

4b) The tub 1.0 -.is oscillated after it is filled, tand-may if desired, be-oscillated while itis being =filled. .Fcr this purpose the timer 58 sends ecurrent-to .the motor ka at the desired time, thus .causing rotation-of lthe=gears to impart oscillation to the tub 10. During this time the vacuum :is maintained .in the space 3?.

--(c) Waterzis withdrawn fromthe tube iii, a .vacuum is:impartedto the space 54 below the diaphragm -l9,-and.- the"vacuumlis broken in the space 31. "T0 .accomplishzthis, the timer sends proper impulses :.to .the valves .30 and 33 and 'to .the ,pump 1:32. The valve *3-8 is -"'closed, and the .val-ve 3.9 connects the pipe 3-3l with the pipe 28 and-theatmospheric pipe :55 with the .pipe 35.

.Thiscauses the water first to be withdrawn .from this space. At the same time :the vacuum 'is broken in'the space 3l.-by:air .passingirom the satmospherethrough pipe :55, valve 38, pipes 35, 35 'and 34, :into rthe space :31. :38 %is closed at this :time, a vacuum is thus im- .parted to .thespacefi i, within the tub Ii), which causes the diaphragm 19 .to press -down onthe clothes and wring-them, causing any remaining wvvaterlsoaked;inthem-tolfiow through thepipe 23 to.ther pumps 32 from which all waterland/ or: .air

is discharged thrO lgh' the pipe 33.

rid) To :rinse .the clothes one '01111018 times, steps (a), (b) 1and (c)-:are automatically repeated .bylthertimer Stone or more times, withoutthe addition of. detergent.

. Reference is made .to my :prior copending ,ap-

,plicationrs. N;.;5,3,20, filedJanuary30, :1948, .pat-

.ented .iAugust i, 1953, .No. 2,8473%.

While the form ."of embodiment of the inven- !-tion as :hereindisclosed, constitutes a preferred 1form,.;itis to Ebe'understood that other forms might be" adopted, 'asmay come within the scope subsequently to :break said'vacuum =anditoaimpart a vacuum to the space 1 in .said :tub below said diaphragm. z r I Since the valve .matically controlling said liquid 4 2. A washing machine comprising: a tub; liquid introducing means for said tub; oscillating means for said tub; a cover for said tub; a flexible diaphragm at the upper end of said tub and removable therefrom; vacuum means to impart a vacuum to the space between said cover ;and T diaphragm and subsequently to abreak said vacuum and ,to impartia vacuumtouthespace in said tub below said diaphragm, and a timer autointroducing means, oscillating means and vacuum means.

:3. iAwashing-machine comprising: a vertically disposed tub having an opening for the insertion .and .removal of clothes; oscillating means for oscillating said itllb about a vertical axis; a flexiblezdiaphragm having movable means for se- ..curing.its working periphery to the rim of said opening and movable into said tub; an agitating .vane construction in said tub; a wash water drain substantially at the bottom of said tub; a vacuum pump; and a :fiexibleconduit connected to said drain (and vacuum pump.

4. A Washing .machine comprising: "a vertically disposed tub having an .opening -.for the insertion .and .removal of clothes; oscillating means for oscillating said tub abouta vertical axis; .a flexible diaphragmhavingmovable means for securing its working periphery to the of said opening and movable into said-tub; means normally :to maintain z-said diaphragm in :its up- .perposition except when a vacuum .-is imparted to said tub; .an agitating vane'construction 'in said tub; awash-water drainsubstantiall-y at. the bottom of said tub; a-.vacuum pump;.andzaflexible conduit connected .to said; drain and vacuumpump- 5. A washing machine comprising: a vertically disposed .tub; loscillating means .fO1'-,0SCl1- lating said tubabout a vertical axis; a cover for said tub; vafiexible diaphragm secured ;to .said cover and I movable intolsaid .tub; 1 agitating vanes in said tub; a wash waterrdrain substantially .at the .bottom of said-tub; amultiple valve connected to said drain; a-water supply-conduit, :a pump, and a conduit-to'the upper side of .said diaphragm connected .to .said multiple valve; and control means ioresaid multiple .valve and oscillating means to introduce washing liquid into .said tub, .oscillate .said tub and impart a vacuumeabove said diaphragm during "a washing period, to withdrawlsaid washingliquid, .and-to impart -a vacuum to said tub below said :diaphragm during a wringing p riod.

6. A washing machine comprising: :atub having anopening at :the topior the insertionend .removal of clothes; agitatingdneans securedin the interior of said tub; bearing means supporting said tub for oscillationtabout a substantially vertical axis; oscillating means secured -to oscillate said tub; flexible fluid flow means connectedsubstantiallyat the bottom of 'saidtub; a flexible diaphragm having its working periphery rigidly and 'movably connected .to said :opening; and a stationary :fluid translating device connected to ,saidfluidflow means'tocollapse said diaphragm .downwardly against said clothes.

7. A washing machine comprising: 1 a tub 'having an opening @atnone end for the insertion and removal of clothes, agitating 'means 'secured in the interior of i said tub; bearing means supportingsaid tub for movements-bout an axis; driving means connected to move said'tub about'said axis; flexible fluid flowrmeansponnected't'o a .lower portion of .said z'tllb; 1a, flexible diaphragm "having ..'.its working periphery irigidly and mm ably connected to said opening; and a stationary fluid translating device connected to said flexible fluid flow means to collapse said diaphragm inwardly into said tub against said clothes.

ROBERT R. CANDOR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number Number Name Date Crane Nov. 30, 1943 Graham Sept. 17, 1946 Band June 7, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain July 10, 1930 Great Britain Jan. 22, 1931 

